articlesforchristians

Many years ago, there was a single mother who had a daughter who was about 6 years old. They lived in a small community. This was a very religious community.

One day the mother and daughter went to the next town over to buy some things that were needed for the month. On the way back home, the tire on their car went flat. The mother pulled over to the side of the road. They got out the jack and lug wrench. They tried to get the lug nuts off, but to no avail. They hoped that someone would stop and help them. At this time cellphones were not readily available and there was no Triple A to call. Soon a car slowed down. It was a local preacher. The preacher waved and went on his way. A short time later another car slowed down. It was a deacon of a local church. He likewise waved and went on his way. A little while later a truck was heard coming down the road. The truck passed on by, but in just a minute it was seen coming back. The man driving the truck slammed on the brakes. The truck skidded to a stop. Out jumps the town drunk. He mumbles something and gets to work changing the tire while drinking his bud wiser (a common brand of beer). The man then got back in his truck and left. The Mother and daughter got in the car and went home.

Which one of the following is a good neighbor? Jesus told a similar parable and then asked a similar question. Here is the parable that Jesus told:

 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

The story about the mother and the girl is true. It occurs to me that the preacher was like the priest. The Deacon was like the Levite. The town drunk was like the Samaritan. It should not be that all these years later that the religious leaders are still not understanding what Jesus said about loving thy neighbor.